Eagles & Stars Clash on the Teener League Baseball Diamond

Two of Honesdale's crosstown rivals met on the field of honor Monday night in Wayne County Teener League action. The Eagles came out on top this time around, cruising to an 8-1 victory at HHS.

Kevin Edwards

On an unseasonably cool evening at the old Honesdale High School field, the Eagles used a nifty combination of power pitching, timely hitting and solid defense to defeat their crosstown rivals.

•Nick Casazza provided the pitching, baffling Stars batters all game long on his way to an 8-1 decision.

•Noah Box led the offensive attack, hammering out three hits in four at-bats.

•Ben Corbin anchored the defense, shutting down an aggressive Stars’ running game from his position behind the plate.

With this win, the Eagles upped their overall Wayne County Teener League record to 5-2 on the year.

Honesdale will be back on the diamond Thursday for a showdown with perennial powerhouse Tusten. That contest, which will be played here in the Maple City, is set for a 6:00 p.m. start.

One Up, One Down
Honesdale was cruising along in regular season action until Saturday, when they suffered an 8-2 loss at the hands of ReMax.

The Eagles wasted little time bouncing back, however, taking out their frustrations on the Stars.

Casazza drew the starting assignment Monday night and made the most of the opportunity. The wily southpaw worked seven strong innings, allowing only four hits en route to the win.

Nick fanned four batters along the way and issued three free passes.

Offensively, Box provided serious punch from his #3 spot in the Eagles’ line-up. The hard-hitting shortstop went 3-for-4 with a single, double and triple. He also scored one run and chased home two more.

Corbin was every bit as impressive from the clean-up spot. Honesdale’s slugging catcher also banged out three basehits, including an RBI?double.

Brian Gibbons and Casazza also wreaked havoc from atop the order. Gibbons bats in the two hole and worked out three walks. Brian came around to score each time.

Nick also coaxed a trio of free passes from Stars pitchers. Casazza piled up four stolen bases and eventually tallied three runs.

Gavin Canfield took the mound as the Stars starting pitcher and absorbed the loss. He worked four innings before receiving relief help from Forrest Sheard, who went the final two.

The Stars avoided a shutout with an uprising in the top of the third.

Tim Minella led off the inning with a clean single to leftfield. Sheard then ripped a towering drive to straight away center, which went for a double. Moments later, Minella tried to score on an infield single, but was cut down at home plate.

Sheard would eventually find his way home on a fielder’s choice, thereby accounting for the Stars’ only run of the ballgame.

The visitors threatened again in the top of the 4th and the 6th, but each time Honesdale’s defense held.

Box stymied the Stars’ final rally with a brilliant play at short.

Canfield smoked a ball up the middle that appeared destined for centerfield. However, Noah raced to his left, dove and smothered the ball. He then scrambled to his feet and unleashed a perfect throw to first.

Casazza set down the Stars in order in the top of the 7th to seal the deal on a solid victory.

Figura and Kielar rounded out the Stars’ offensive output with a hit apiece.